ECI’s Connect Conference 2024: Celebrating 25 Years Of Innovation And Community

The 2024 Connect Conference marked a significant milestone for our company, celebrating 25 years of dedicated support to small and medium businesses worldwide. Held Nov. 11 – 13 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, this year’s event brought together ECI customers, partners, and industry experts to explore innovative opportunities in technology, business efficiency, and data insights. The conference was a lively testament to ECI’s dedication to empowering SMBs with the tools they need to tackle today’s challenges and keep a competitive edge in a constantly changing world.

Our CEO, Trevor Gruenewald, and President and COO, Sarah Hagan, opened the three-day event by sharing their perspective on how technology reshapes the business landscape for SMBs. They highlighted five major challenges affecting today’s SMB leaders: rising operational costs, employee retention struggles, economic uncertainty, fluctuating market demands, and the pressure to keep pace with technological advancements. These challenges reinforced ECI’s mission to provide adaptable, purpose-built solutions tailored to SMBs’ unique needs.

With a diverse mix of keynote speakers, workshops, and tech showcases, Connect 2024 was designed to equip attendees with practical strategies for navigating these challenges. From interactive sessions to networking opportunities, ECI’s approach focused on current solutions and innovative technologies for future-proofing businesses.

Throughout the conference, ECI showcased several advanced tools designed to help SMBs enhance adaptability, boost efficiency, increase data visibility, and strengthen customer relationships. These key areas reflect ECI’s continued investment in technology that empowers SMBs to thrive.

One of the highlights of Connect 2024 was the recognition of everyday heroes within the ECI community. The Everyday Hero Awards celebrate ECI customers who positively impact their communities. This year’s award was presented to Rachel Schoolfield for her advocacy work against human trafficking. Finalists Richard and Amanda VanDeWalle and the Stier family were also recognized, each receiving donations to support their community-focused initiatives.

The prestigious Customer Excellence Award was awarded to Fitch Lumber Company. Their success story, powered by ECI’s Spruce ERP solution, showcased the transformative impact of ECI’s technology. Fitch Lumber Company doubled their revenue and quadrupled their profits over the last four years, all while increasing their staff by only 10%. Their impressive growth and operational efficiency illustrated how ECI’s tools enable SMBs to thrive, even in competitive markets.

Renowned leadership speaker and former sports agent Molly Fletcher delivered the conference’s keynote address. Known as the “female Jerry Maguire,” Molly shared insights from her career on the importance of building meaningful, value-aligned relationships in business.

Connect 2024 featured over 150 tailored sessions designed to provide SMBs with practical strategies for success. Sessions ranged from workshops like “A Day in the Life of a Ransomware Incident” for critical insights on cybersecurity to “Avoiding Legal Issues for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses,” which covered essential strategies for navigating legal landscapes. Led by over 70 ECI instructors, the sessions aimed to provide actionable takeaways that attendees could immediately implement in their businesses.

Over 25 vendors joined the Connect Expo, allowing attendees to explore new technologies and potential collaborations. From emerging software to advanced equipment, the expo offered a glimpse into the future of SMB technology.

ECI hosted a special anniversary celebration on Tuesday evening, bringing together attendees for a Texas-style barbeque, live music, and dancing. The event was a chance for customers, partners, and ECI employees to reflect on the past quarter-century's achievements and look forward to continued innovation.

As the curtain closed on ECI’s Connect Conference 2024, attendees left energized, equipped, and inspired to tackle the future with confidence. This milestone event didn’t just celebrate 25 years of innovation; it empowered SMBs to thrive through practical solutions, meaningful connections, and fresh insights into what’s next for the industry.

If you’re ready to join a community of forward-thinking SMB leaders, gain hands-on access to cutting-edge tools, and learn strategies that drive real results, don’t miss the next Connect Conference! Sign up to stay in the loop and secure your spot for 2026—it promises to be another unmissable experience that brings you closer to the latest trends, tech, and tactics to keep your business moving forward. See you next time!